The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusively breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life, and then adding in some solids or complementary food and continuing to breastfeed until at least 12 months of age, and as long really, as a mother and baby desire. You can breastfeed as long as you are enjoying it and your baby is enjoying it. Breast milk is really the best source of nutrition for your infant. There are so many wonderful benefits; so breastfeed for as long as you can, but especially for the first 6 to 12 months of life. A lot of mothers ask me 'Well what about going back to work? How can I continue breastfeeding?' You can continue breastfeeding when you go back to work. Initially, in the hospital you are going to want to nurse your baby right away, and when you first get home, every 2 to 3 hours, but over time the feedings will space out and if you want to go back to work, or if you even just want to have a night out with your partner, I recommend that mothers start pumping around 3 weeks of age. A good time to introduce the bottle is around 3 or 4 weeks of age, because if you wait too long, your baby may not take it and it's a good idea to get your baby drinking breast milk both from you and also from the bottle. It allows flexibility so you can keep breastfeeding your baby for longer and also your partner or other care-givers and get involved in feeding the baby.